Connections Podcast

Latest Episodes:

CITY Magazine's 2026 'Rochester Ten' Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

"They always come back home." That's how CITY Magazine editor-in-chief Leah Stacy describes CITY's 2026 "Rochester Ten" cohort. The annual list celebrates community members whose work and passions are creating positive change. As Stacy writes, some are Rochester natives, some are transplants, and some live in several places, but the Flower City is where "they want their work to be felt most." We meet some of them this hour, and we welcome the team from CITY to discuss this month's issue. In studio:

Leah Stacy, editor-in-chief of CITY Magazine
Jacob Walsh, art director for CITY Magazine
Rafael Rodriguez, photographer and filmmaker
Leaphe Ferm, musician, artist, caregiver, and 2026 "Rochester Ten"
Jenna Manetta-Knauf, owner of Bella Events Group and 2026 "Rochester Ten"
Max Kelley, station manager at WAYO 104.3FM and 2026 "Rochester Ten"
Nydia Padilla-Rodriguez, artistic director and founder of Borinquen Dance Theatre and 2026 "Rochester Ten"

Former public health director helps launch new healthcare model in Rochester Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

Dr. Michael Mendoza is the senior medical director for the new Town Square Health Rochester office. The practice caters to seniors and recently began accepting patients. As reported by WXXI's Brian Sharp, the goal is to bring a new model for healthcare to the region, focused on prevention and lower costs. Dr. Mendoza discusses how it works and whether it can be a solution for the ongoing problems in the American healthcare system. In studio:

Michael Mendoza, M.D., MPH, senior medical director for Town Square Health
Daniel J. Marino, principal with ECG Management Consultants
Brian Sharp, investigations and enterprise editor for WXXI News

Nazareth University's new president on the state of higher education Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

We sit down Maureen Finney, the new president of Nazareth University.

As reported by WXXI’s Noelle Evans, Finney takes the helm of the institution at a time when federal rules are shifting for student loan borrowers.

We sit down with Finney to discuss what those changes mean for Nazareth, her vision for the university, and the current state of higher education.

In studio:

Maureen Finney, Ed.D., president of Nazareth University

Veterans on the U.S.-Iran war and what is owed to American service members Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

With the U.S.-Iran ceasefire falling apart — and as the war expands — what is owned to American service members and their families in terms of communication, level setting, and what an end game would look like? We discuss that question with local veterans. In studio:

Gregg Sadwick, U.S Navy veteran, former congressional candidate, and president of Solid Surfaces NY and Flower City Collision
Nicholas Stefanovic, veteran and director of veteran services for Monroe County
John White, former captain in the U.S. Marine Corps and Vietnam combat vet

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Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.

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Connectionsairs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter.

Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.

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Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

Puerto Rican Festival aims to reach younger Latinos, bridge generational gaps Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

Rochester's Puerto Rican Festival is back. The 56th annual celebration runs Thursday through Saturday, and organizers say they expect it to bring thousands of people to the city. According to reporting by WXXI's Jose Sandoval, goals this year include reaching younger Latinos, educating children about Latino culture, and bridging gaps among generations. We discuss it all — and preview the fest — with our guests. In studio:

Jose Sandoval, Latino communities reporter for WXXI News through Report for America
Orlando Ortiz, president of the Rochester Puerto Rican Festival
Julio Sáenz, chief content officer for WXXI Public Media

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Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.

---

Connectionsairs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter.

Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.

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Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

Sen. Samra Brouk on the 2026-2027 NYS budget; the state of Black maternal health Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

We’re joined by Senator Samra Brouk. It’s the latest in our series of conversations about New York’s 2026-2027 budget. The senator discusses a number of budget items, including funding for childcare and maternal health. Then, we are joined by a local clinician and a local doula, who weigh in on the state of Black maternal health. Our guests:

Sen. Samra Brouk, District 55
Phyllis Sharp, certified doula and owner of Royalty Birth Services
Tracy Renee Webber, DNP, director of the Midwifery Division at the University of Rochester Medical Center

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Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.

---

Connectionsairs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter.

Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.

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Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

Bluegrass Ambassadors: How one band is bridging cultural divides through music Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

"Diplomacy isn't just for diplomats." That's according to the bluegrass band, the Henhouse Prowlers. The band has traveled to more than two dozen nations through its non-profit arm, the Bluegrass Ambassadors. The goal is to use the common language of music to promote cross-cultural collaborations, breakdown misconceptions and misunderstandings, and create a more empathetic world. As the band passes through Rochester, they join us on "Connections" to discuss the impact of their work and to play some music. In studio:

Ben Wright, banjo and vocals for the Henhouse Prowlers
Jon Goldfine, upright bass and vocals for the Henhouse Prowlers
Jake Howard, mandolin and vocals for the Henhouse Prowlers
Chris Dollar, guitar and vocals for the Henhouse Prowlers

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Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.

---

Connectionsairs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter.

Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.

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Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

Nancy Spielberg and the Jewish Film Festival; teens with the Rochester Teen Film Festival Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

Filmmaker Nancy Spielberg is our guest in the first segment of this hour on local film festivals. The noted producer will be in Rochester on Tuesday for a screening of the documentary, "A Letter to David." The film is a "cinematic letter to director Tom Shoval’s friend David Cunio, who was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7th." It's being screened as part of the Jewish Film Festival. We preview the film and the festival.

Then, we welcome local youth filmmakers who discuss their creative process in advance of the Rochester Teen Film Festival.

Getting close to nature — in the city Jul 24, 2026

Show notes

The city of Rochester is celebrating the opening of its first nature center, located in a historic building in Maplewood Park. The idea is to bring children who live in the city closer to the environment — to explore, learn, and play in natural surroundings. Two years ago, when the Maplewood Nature Center was just a dream, we talked to the people trying to make it real. Now that the center is open, we bring them back to learn about the partnerships, programs, and activities that are happening there. They join guest host Julie Philipp in the studio:

Bill Collins, president of the Maplewood Neighborhood Association
Amanda Little, environmental educator for the city of Rochester
Sara Scott, director of programs and park stewardship for the city of Rochester
Kyra Stephenson, director of Helmer Nature Center with the West Irondequoit School District and founder of Nature Mind Solutions

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Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.

---

Connectionsairs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter.

Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.

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Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

Assemblymember Sarah Clark on the 2026-2027 NYS budget Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

We continue our series of conversations with local state lawmakers about New York's 2026-2027 budget. Our guest this hour is Assemblymember Sarah Clark. Her Childcare Capacity Expansion Bill — co-sponsored by Senator Samra Brouk — recently passed the Assembly and Senate and is waiting on the governor's desk. Clark weighs in on how the bill would help address the state's childcare shortage, and she shares her take on a number of other budget items. You can join the discussion and ask her your questions about state business. In studio:

Assemblymember Sarah Clark, District 136

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Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.

---

Connectionsairs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter.

Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.

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Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

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